Best golf grips for arthritis and sore hands

Sore hands and arthritis change what you want from a grip. The goal shifts from maximum feedback to comfort: a grip that lets you hold on securely without a hard squeeze, and that cushions the shock of impact. Three levers do most of the work, and they stack.

Go a little larger

A larger grip fills the hand and reduces how tightly you have to close your fingers, which eases strain on the joints. Many golfers with arthritis are most comfortable a size up from where a pure hand measurement would put them, in midsize or jumbo. You do not have to jump straight to the biggest option. Even a couple of wraps of build-up tape can take the edge off.

Choose a soft, cushioned compound

Soft, tacky rubber absorbs vibration and grips back so you can relax your hold. Brands like Winn and Pure built their reputation on exactly this kind of cushioned feel. Avoid firm, abrasive full-cord grips, which send more shock into the hands and can be rough on tender skin.

Let the grip do the gripping

The point of size and cushioning is to let you hold the club lightly. Light grip pressure is easier on the joints and, as a bonus, it usually improves your swing. If a grip only feels secure when you clamp down, it is the wrong grip for your hands.

A note on the putter

The putter is where an oversize grip helps the most for sore hands. A larger putter grip quiets the small muscles in the hands and wrists, which takes strain off them and can steady the stroke at the same time. See the putter grip guide for how the profiles compare.

Grip choices help with comfort, but they are not medical advice. If you have arthritis or ongoing hand pain, talk with a doctor or a certified fitter about what is right for you.

To get a size and material matched to your hands, and flagged for comfort if you tell it your joints bother you, take the fitting below.